March 25, 2004
Dr. Greg Vercellotti discussed body donations for anatomy
education March 25 on KARE-11.
Q: Does the University of Minnesota accept body
donations? What happens to those bodies? Where can people find out more
information on donating?
Vercellotti: The University of Minnesota is one of two institutions in
Minnesota that accepts donations of bodies. These bodies are used for anatomy
education for health sciences practitioners, which is an essential part of the
preparation of future physicians. We also support surgical and clinical
advances, such as minimally invasive surgery training.
Donated bodies can also help develop anatomical foundations
for new treatments and medical devices. As work begins on developing devices,
like the artificial hip joint, surgeons and engineers look at the human anatomy
to make sure these devices will work.
Anatomical studies usually take about 18 months. Once they
are completed, families have three options for final disposition. The
University will cremate the remains and either bury the cremated remains in
Lakewood cemetery in Minneapolis, or return the cremated remains to the next of
kin for a family arranged final disposition. For those families not choosing
cremation, the University will return the entire body for burial. All expenses
for the burial or family arranged final disposition of cremated remains is the
responsibility of the estate.
The Universitys program stresses treating bodies with the
utmost respect. Ten years ago, an annual memorial service to honor donors and
their families was instituted.
The University has a comprehensive oversight program. The
director and assistant director are funeral directors licensed by the state and
they must comply with laws regulating the care of human bodies. There are only
about a dozen medical schools throughout the country that employ a funeral
director to manage their anatomy donor program. Our director and assistant
director report to the dean of the medical school.
Weve instituted a number of safeguards to make sure bodies
are handled with appropriate respect. A committee evaluates requests for all
uses of human bodies, and staff members regularly participate in and monitor
all studies. State law prohibits selling bodies or body parts, and the University
has a number of safe guards in place to make sure that we comply with all laws,
rules, and regulations.
Key Points
Anyone of sound mind, 18 years of age or older, desiring to
give his or her body to the University of Minnesota Medical School upon death,
can file a bequest form. If an individual is unable, or should fail to complete
the bequest forms prior to death, it may be possible for the next-of-kin to
donate a relatives body by completing and signing bequest forms at the time of
death.
Filing bequest forms does not automatically guarantee that
the Anatomy Bequest Program will be able to accept a body. The program reserves
the right to decline donations for the following reasons:
- If
people have infectious or contagious diseases, such as HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis
B or C or prion diseases
- If
someone dies outside of the seven county metropolitan and his or her
family refuses to pay transportation charges from the place of death to
the University of Minnesota.
- If
the deceased has a family member who objects to the donation
- If
the body is not acceptable for the purposes of anatomical study
The Anatomy Bequest Program can accept patients who have had
surgeries or who have donated organs or tissue at the time of death.
For more information
Anatomy Bequest Program
http://www.bequest.umn.edu
(612) 625-1111
bequest@umn.edu
